Ken Van Damme’s Automotive

I’ve been to this garage several times in the last two years and have found them to be impeccably honest, extremely competent and invariably friendly. When I needed an item, it was carefully explained; when I didn’t, no one tried to sell anything to me.
If all garages worked under the ethical principles of this business, I feel the country would be in far better shape.

This is the most helpful and honest bunch of folks you will ever do business with. I was referred to them by a friend at our salon. Since then, we have had everything from my husbands big box work truck to my ’78 ElCamino and my pride and joy restored ’72. They can do anything, and do it well. Sure glad to have found them!

I had several car serviced here. These repairmen are excellent and do great work. I have always had them find the most cost effective way to solve a problem. They’ve always followed manufacturers recommendations, and they are great at meeting a schedule. They have serviced my Honda Civic, Toyota Van, and Nissan Pickup. All ran well for many years.

I can’t give this garage enough credit. I have taken my car here for 3 years and I am constantly amazed at the customer service and the honesty.
Today I took my car with a screw in my tire and they repaired it and sent me on my way in 15 minutes and didn’t charge me!!!
I always trust them and they have on more than one occasion informed me I did not need service when I thought I did. Thanks to the best garage in Portland!

Ken,
What a pleasure doing business with you, year in and year out!
My wife and I aren’t car buffs; therefore, we depend on the integrity of the people who take care of our only vehicle, a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
What’s refreshing about Ken Van Damme’s Automotive is that «everyone» who deals with us is polite, willing to explain what was done and what may still be needed, and in the main, say what they’re going to do, and do what they say and at an honest price with no up selling or piling on…
How novel is that?
Thank you for being there for us.
Robert Fineberg & Sheila LaChance

Ken’s shop has done all our repairs for years, completely honest, great work, and they explain all the options to you. I won’t take my car anywhere else. And it’s the only place my wife will take our car. So many repair shops are condescending to woman or try to scare them into paying for unneeded repairs — at Kens they treat women (and all customers) with respect.

Moved to Portland with my 86 4runner. Had some issues after the 4k mile journey. Neighbor had an old international in excellent shape so I asked him for a recommendation and he sent me to Van Dammes. I’m writing this because I’ve never had better service with such a quick turnaround ever. Plus, they keep in contact with you and let you know what’s up. You pay for what you get in this world and what you’ll get here is accuracy, reasonable rates, and a quick turnaround.

For years we have been going to Ken Van Damme’s for all our automotive needs. They are not the cheapest in town but it will be done correctly by professionals and they back their service. They always give a quote and what they recommend before doing any work. Van Damme is a place to go IF you want it done right! I highly recommend their services.

I really don’t get these other reviews. Ken’s is an AAA-​approved shop. That why I went there 4 – 5 years ago. Only a few shops meet AAA standards. Some people complain that they found another place that was cheaper. Sure, the other places don’t use certified mechanics and they use lower-​quality parts. They got a bargain in the short term, but it will cost more long term. No shop gets every job diagnosed correctly the first time, as described weekly on Car Talk and by my dad’s experience as a mechanic. I am very pleased by their work. When an oil leak reappeared months later, they fixed it for free. A sign of quality is when a company checks on customer satisfaction. I get a customer satisfaction survey on every visit within 15 minutes after I leave. Usually, I trust Unilocal,but not this time.

I just went to this shop this morning to have them look at my Mitsubishi that had some strange sound in the back. They were very friendly and jumped in the car and drove around the block with me and said yep sounds like shocks. So, sure enough after putting it up on the lift it needed two new shocks and also a new muffler. They said we don’t do mufflers go to Midaz or something like that but they could do the shocks. They gave me a quote of $ 414.88 for the replacement and labor of two rear shocks. I was like thanks i will show my husband this… knowing good and well i don’t have a husband. So I call my sister and she said you have to go see the guys at Master Muffler over on Lombard. She said that she had her car worked on at the Fixum house and these guys had to fix the Fixum house mistakes and didn’t rake her for cash. So I call up Master Muffler, I told them that i needed two rear shocks and a muffler and they quoted me a price of $ 333.00 for everything including labor. If you ask me these guys at Van Damme are looking for people to pay the remodel that is happening in their office right now. It makes me sick when men think they can take advantage of women. We are not stupid and we know how to go find bids from other places. Shame on you for trying to gouge me for WAY to much money~ Be careful ladies and everyone else too.

As an assertive female, I’d usually rather get dental work done (I hate the dentist) than deal with the condescending attitudes of auto mechanics who assume I don’t know crap about cars. So I took a friend’s advice who knows about my hostility and took my car in to Van Damme’s. Great experience. Honest, quick, accurate quotes, and quality work. I would now rather go to Van Damme’s than go to the dentist.